Mitigation Assistance

North Carolina Division of Emergency Management

 The Division of Emergency Management is responsible for protecting North Carolinians from the effects of natural and man-made disasters. The division offers assistance to local officials through the state office and three branch offices. It assist local governments with the development of emergency action plans for hazards such as chemical spills, floods, hurricanes, and nuclear incidents. The division coordinates the state and federal response to disasters.

The National Flood Insurance Program Branch provides floodplain management technical assistance and training opportunities to local government officials, citizens, surveyors, engineers, architects, lenders and insurance agents. The NFIP Branch also administers the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program described below. 

Contacts: State NFIP Coordinator, 116 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27603-1335.
          Telephone:   (919) 733-5392.   FAX:   (919) 715-5408.

Internet Site: www.dem.dcc.state.nc.us


Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA provides hazard mitigation assistance to states and local governments through a variety of programs and initiatives. Mitigation programs related to high wind, hurricane and flood hazards are briefly described below. For more information on these and other programs you are encouraged to visit FEMA's web page.

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP was created in 1968 by the Congress to provide federally-backed flood insurance to those who generally were not able to obtain it from the private-sector companies, and to promote sound floodplain management practices in flood prone areas. The floodplain management aspects of the program are administered by FEMA's Mitigation Directorate and the insurance aspects are administered by the Federal Insurance Administration, also part of FEMA.

Community Rating System (CRS). The Community Rating System was established to encourage state and community flood loss reduction activities beyond those required for participation in the NFIP. Flood insurance premiums are lower in those communities that undertake activities to reduce flood losses, facilitate accurate insurance rating, promote the awareness of flood insurance and protect the natural and beneficial functions of flood hazard areas.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides up to 75 percent of the funds needed for an approved mitigation project's total eligible cost. The remaining state or local match can consist of in-kind services and materials. The HMGP's objectives are to prevent future losses of lives and property due to disasters, to implement state and local hazard mitigation plans, to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster, and to provide funding for previously identified mitigation measures that benefit a disaster area.

The HMGP can be used to fund projects to protect either public or private property. Examples of projects include:


Eligible applicants are state agencies and local governments; certain private nonprofit organizations or institutions; and Indian tribes or authorized tribal organizations. Eligible applicants must apply through the state. In North Carolina application should be made to the Division of Emergency Management.

Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMAP). Under the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, FEMA provides assistance for activities that will reduce the risk of flood damage to structures insurable under the National Flood Insurance Program. The program is a state-administered, cost-share program through which states and communities can receive grants for flood mitigation planning, technical assistance, and mitigation projects. FMAP grant funds are allocated to states based on the number of flood insurance policies in force and the number of repetitive loss structures.

FMAP Planning Grants. FMAP planning grants are used to assist states and local governments in developing and updating flood mitigation plans. The plan development process should consist of the following activities: public involvement, coordination with other agencies or organizations, flood hazard area inventory, problem identification, and review of possible mitigation actions. 

Contacts:   Federal Emergency Management Agency
            500 C Street, SW
            Washington, DC 20472

Internet Site: www.fema.gov


National Weather Service

 The National Weather Service provides weather and flood warnings, public forecasts and advisories for all of the United States and territories. Weather Service meteorological products and weather observations are used by Federal, state and local governments, commercial and industrial firms, and citizens to make decisions on when they should take actions to protect lives and property. Technical assistance is provided to local, regional and state agencies developing and operating warning programs. 

Contacts: National Weather Service, NOAA
           1325 East-West Highway
           Silver Spring, MD 20910

Internet Site: www.nws.noaa.gov


Natural Resources Conservation Service

 The Natural Resources Conservation Service works principally in small rural watershed areas of less than 250,000 acres. NRCS staff provides information on land-use planning, conservation planning, resource development, water management, and flood prevention to farmers, community officials, and land developers. NRCS funds protection projects that can include retrofitting elements. Detailed soil maps prepared by NRCS are used, in some communities, as a basis for determining the approximate boundaries of floodplains where no other data are available.

Contacts: Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts


North Carolina State University, Sea Grant Extension Program

The North Carolina Sea Grant Extension Program and the Civil Engineering Department at North Carolina State University provide general advice on flood and hurricane-resistant construction techniques and shoreline erosion. 

Contact:   Spencer Rogers, NC Sea Grant, 7205 Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403.
           Telephone:   (910) 256-2083.   E-mail: rogerssp@uncwil.edu


U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

 The Corps of Engineers has several programs that provide planning and technical assistance to local governments to address local flood problems. The Corps staffs the National Flood Proofing Committee, which supervises research and provides technology transfer on relocation, elevation, and other retrofitting measures.

The Floodplain Management Services (FPMS) Program and the Planning Assistance to States (PAS) Program to help local governments develop their own plans and to initiate their own floodplanin management actions. Under these programs the Corps can provide flood data and carry out certain local studies. These programs are delivered through district offices whose jurisdictions are based on river basins. Four districts have jurisdiction over portions of North Carolina, with the Wilmington District assigned the coordination role among the districts. 

Contacts:   Wilmington District                           Telephone: (910) 251-4720
             P. O. Box 1890
             Wilmington, NC   28402-1890
                  Attn: CESAW-PD-F


Internet Sites:www.usace.army.mil
              www.saw.usace.army.mil


U.S. Geological Survey

 The USGS assist states and local governments in maintaining stream gauge stations. In addition, the agency has prepared inundation maps many communities. These quadrangle floodplain maps of flood prone areas are often used to delineate the approximate floodplain boundaries on the maps FEMA has provided to local governments. 

Contacts:   North Carolina Geological Survey      Telephone (919) 733-2423
            Archdale Building
            512 N. Salisbury Street
            Raleigh, NC    27604-1148

            U.S. Geological Survey                  Telephone (919) 571-4069
            North Carolina District Office
            3916 Sunset Ridge Road
            Raleigh, NC   27607
Internet Site: www.usgs.gov